(Decanter) - Brunello producer Gianfranco Soldera has been expelled from the local Consorzio and sued for libel over newspaper remarks made in connection with sabotage at his winery.

Disgruntled former employee Andrea Di Gisi was jailed recently for four years for breaking into Soldera’s Case Basse winery and draining vats containing 62,600 litres of maturing Brunello di Montalcino from the past six vintages. 

Following the vandalism in December last year, fellow producers and members of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino offered to donate ‘wine of solidarity’ to Soldera to compensate him for his loss.